Adjustable weather strip and stop for closure members



"Jan. 2 1923.

H. E. TRIPP.

ADJUSTIABLE WEATHER STRIP AND STOP FOR CLOSURE MEMBERS.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1- Fl LED APR. 18, I921 :0 S si 5m 23, 11923. 4 1,443,295 H, E TR l PP ADJUSTABLE WEATHER STRIP AND Sro FOR CLOSURE MEMBERS.

FILED APR 18. 1921. v 2 SHEETS'SHEET 2 Patented Jim. 23, was.

entrain snares I nane HALLIE E. TRIPP, F CHATTANOGGA, TENNESSEE.

ADJUSTABLE WEATHER STRIP AN ID STOPIOR CLOSURE MEMBERS.

Application filed April 18,

To all to 710721 2' t may concern v Be it known that I, l-iiiman E. Tnrrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chattanooga, in the county of Hamilton and Sthte of Tennessee, have invented rertain new and useful improvements in Adjustable \Veather titrips and Stops for Closure Momheirs, of which the foliowing is a specification.

Tnis invcntionrelates to an adjustable weather strip and stop for use upon closure members, such as doors, windows and the like. i I

The primary object of the invention .18 the provisionof an adjustable weather strip for use upon doors and the like, which will he automatically extended upon closingof the door, to engage a floor or other surface,

thus doing away with threshold projections, and providing a sealing of all cracks or crevices incident to ordinarydoor construc tion.

A further object of the invention-is the provision of an adjustable weather strip of a the above described character, which in eludes means for extending the weather strip into engagement with a floor surface any open or closed position of the door, thus acting as a stop to. maintain the door in any predetermined position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an. automatic weather strip which is simple and practical in that the same can he evenly forced into engagement with a floor surface throughout its length without l'iucliling. and thus "prevent any unduo wear upon anyone part to the ext-hr sion'of others. i i

A further ohjoct of the invention isthe provision of an automatic weather strip of the ahove described character and use, which can he liuilt into doors as a unit part thereof; or can hesold as an accessory for attachment to any type of door of standard construction.

Other ohiects and advantages will he apparent durinpthe course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings. forming" a part of this specification, and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, i

Figure l is a side elevation. partly in cross section, of the inunrovcd automatic tionec,

1921. Serial No. 462,077.

weather strip, showing the application of the same to a closure member, such as a door.

F1gure 21s a horizontal cross sectional view through the improved automatic tion, so that the weather strip isextended into engagement with a floor surface.

Figure t is a vertical cross sectional view through the improved device, showing the neferred arrangement adapted for use as an accessory upon any type of closure member. r

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional view showing the improved automatic weather strip builtintothe door andin aless con-. spicuous place than the accessory form illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a detail of the invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective iew of a detail used in extending the improved weather strip. 1

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a detail of this invention. i

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred em hodiment of my invention, the letter A designates a door or other closuremember, which is hingedly connected to a door jamb .or other support B, as hy'hinge C. In the form of this invention adapted for use as an accessory upon doors, the. casing D is :ulapted for detachable positioning upon the lower edge of the door and adjustably sup ports the flexible weather strip E through resilient means F. Automatic adjustable Lmcans t} is providedfor. operation of the resilient means F to extend the flexible strip E into engagement with a floorsurface Hpand which means Gr isnormally maintained in position to keep the flexible means E off of the floor surface H, as by the independent spring means K; An adjustable means L is provided for manual operation to extend the flexible weather strip into engagement with the floor surface H at any open or closedposition of the closure member A, with respect to the support B. V

The closure member 'A as before ,men-

may he of any preferred type and the bottom end thereof is normally raised floor surface H in ordinary construction.

The housing D is preferabl 01' the same length as the width of door A and provided with an upstanding flange for the recep tion of screws 16 or th like for detaclntbly 'iositioning the same exteriorly upon the door A. A projecting cover 1'? is bent at right angles to the flange 15, and s provided with a downwardly projecting front cover subriatantially at right angles thereto in order to provide an enclosure or recess if) for the reception of the working olemei'its and details of the in'iprovezl automatic weather strip. One end of the housing D, which is positioned adjacent the free end of the closure member A, is normally sealed by a flanged over portion 20; while the other end 21 is provided with an opening 22 therein, a portion of the end 21 being bent inwardly as at 23 and rounded upon its extremity; and which aperture 22 is provided to permit reciprocation of a portion of the operating means, and which will be subsequently set forth.

The flexible weather strip E may be of any approved material, such as rubber, oil treated fiber, or the like, and is preferably rectangular in formation, and provided with longitudinal recesses'25 upon each side thereof and extended the full length of said strip. A holder 27 substantially ll-shaped in cross section is provided, for disposition upon the top of the flexible weather stripping and is provided with inturned ends 28 upon the depending arms thereof, for firm engagement within the recesses upon each side of the weather strip 15. In this manner the weather strip is reinforced upon its top by means of more substantial material than that which composes the weather strip it self, and which is necessary for cooperation with the other elements. The to p or bigh'i; portion 29 of theholder 27 provided at spaced intervals with suitable screw threaded apertures for the reception of detachable screws 30 or the like.

The resilientconnecting means I includes the substantially U-shaped spring members 81,, which are placed at intervals upon the to 29 of the holder 27, and slidably attached thereto by means of the detachable screws 30 inserted into the slots 32, and which slots 32 are punched longitudinally of the bight portions 38 of the springs Each bight portion 33 is relatively long, and supplies the necessary resiliency required of the means F. A leg 34 of each of the members 31 is rigidly attached to the top 17 of the housing D by means of the angle piece 35. One leg 36 of the angle is rigidly attached to the top 1' by rivets or spot welding, while a depending leg 37 is rigidly attached to the upstanding leg 3- by rivets or the like.

The free upstanding end -10 of each of the U-shaped spring members 81 is riveted or otherwise secured to a pushing lug 1-1 through a suitable aperture 12 therein. The push lug 41 is in reality part of the operating means G, and each of the push lugs ll is detachably positioned upon the longitudinal bar 4-3, by means of the projecting arms l i and The projecting arm i5 of each of the members 41 is inserted through a suitable aperture transversely in the bar 43, while the under or bottom arm {i l engages beneath the bar it, thus maintaining the push lugs ll in position upon the bar 1?). The bar 4:8 is slidably disposed in the recess 19 of the casing D and is positioned. upwardly therein adjacent the side portion 18. In order to permit free reciprocation of this bar 4C3, the various U-shaped springs 31 have their legs 3% and 10 notched as at 44'. Likewise the L-shaped members or angles 35 are narr'ower in width than the width of the recess 19, and are each preferably provided with a projecting end 48 underlying the slide bar 43. The end 49 of the slide bar 4*.3 which is positioned adjacent the hinged end of the closure member A is flanged in L-shap ed manner, and provided with a screw threaded aperture therein extending longitudinally of the bar 43, and facing to communicate with the aperture 22 as provided in the casing D An adjustable bolt or screw 51 is provider for adjustment within the aperture in the end 49 of the bar 43; and normally projects from the aperture 22 in the end 21 of casing D substantially as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The head 52 of screw 51 is preferably knurled and projects outwardly from the extreme end 53 of the closure member A, in order that the same nay contact with the projection 5d, which is ordinarilyformed upon the jnnib or sup-- port 13. I

in this manner, as the closure member A is swung to a closed position upon the hinge C, the head 52 contacts with the projecting end 5 1 of the support B, and pushes back the operating means G; and which will be subsequently described in detail.

The resilient means K which normally naaintains the operating means G in position to raise the flexible strip E off of the floor surface H, comprises the spiral spring 55 disposed within a suitable pocket 56, and which pocket 56 is formed intermediate the top 17 of easing D and the bottom extension 57 formed by the L-shaped piece 58 which is riveted or otherwise secured on the closed end of the casing D. This spring 55 is'norill) llh

mally maintained under compression, and contacts with the flanged end 60 of the bar 43, to force the same forwardly in order that th head 52 of the adjustable screw 51 may extend beyond the surface 53 of the closure member A, and substantially ,as illustrated in Figure 2.

The, flexible weather strip E is not, only which detachable element 84 engages the operatingbar 43, of the means G. In all other respects, the lever 79 and bracket adapted to replace a threshold, but may likewise act as a stop formaintainmg a door in any predetermined POSltlOD, whether open or closed. To this end, a foot operated lever 61 has been provided, and which is provided with the pawl tooth 62 thereon, for engagement with any tooth 63 upon a rack structure, which may be formed integral, or otherwise be attached in rigid position uponthe casing D. The lever ,61 pivotally mounted upon a detachable screw 64, which is positioned upon the lower part of the side 18, and which lever is normally maintained in its outward position against] a guide rail 64, by means of a spiral spring 65 disposed over the shank of screw 64, and in engagement between the side 18 of housing D and the side of the lever 61. position, the tooth 62 is out of engagement with the teeth 63. The manual operating means L is provided to operate the flexible strip E independent of the means G; and to this end a detachable screw 68 hasbeen provided, which engages the bar 43, and extends outwardly from the housing or casing D through a slot 69, in order to allow unimpeded movement of the screw 68 synchronously with the bar 43. v

lVhen using the improved automatic weather strip as a unit built into the door or closure structure A, the same is altered very little with respect to detailsthereof. A

recess 70 is formed in the under part ofthe,

closure structur A, and substantially as illustrated in Flgure 5 of the drawing, to

provide for insertion of the various elements. In this type of weather strip, a substantially Z-shaped metal stamping 70 is used, which is detachably mounted to the under surface 71 of the closure member A, as by screws 72 or the like, and the body portion or side 73 of which stamping simulates the side 18 of the casing D. The flexible weather strip E; the resilient means F; the operating means G and the independent resilient means K are identical to those above described for the accessory form of this invention; and are all disposed withj in the recess or pocket 70 formed upon the under surface of the closure member A, and operably attached to the leg 75 overlying the top of the pocket 70. p A special bracket 76 is provided for attachment upon the outside of the closure member A, and which is detachably positioned thereon as by screws 77 or the like. The bracket 76 is provided with the guard rail 78, for guiding the pawl In this a face H.

leverv 79 pivotally mounted upon the dee structure 76 are similar to the pawl and rack operating mean L as above described.

In operation, as the door or closure memher A is swung uponlthe hinge (3 into a closed position, the head 52 of the adjustable screw 51 contacts with the surface 54 of the support B, and thus forces the bar 43 to slide intothe casing I), further compressing the spiral sprin 55 into the position substantially as illustrated in Figure During this operation the substantially U- shaped resilient springs 31 are compressed, so thattheir bight portions 33 are lowered somewhat, and at the same time will have the effect of pushing, the flexible strip E down into engagement with the floor sur- Since there will, of course, be relative movement of the springs 31 upon the holder strip 27 the slots 32 have been provided, and which allow for such relative movement. The flexible means E and holder 27, are of course prevented from moving with the operating means G by reason of the fact that the ends thereof contact tudinally into normal position for further automatic operation of the device ,upon closing of the door. course be assisted in return of the operating means G into normal position by the inherent resiliency of the springs 31. Attention is called to the fact that the screw 51 is adjustable and can be so adjusted in the screwthreaded aperture in the end 49 of the bar 43, thatflthe same will not project from the surface 53 of the closure member A, even when the operating means G is in neutral position. j

When. it isdesired to use the operating means G as a stop for;holding the closure member A in any predetermined position, the lever (Si or 79 is depressed by the foot of the operator upon the top of extension 61', and rocked uponthe pivoted screw 64 or 80, as the case may be, at the same time forcing the screw 68 or 84 which detachably engages the bar 43, rearwardly, and performing the same operation of lowering the fiexible member E into engagement with the surface A, as above described for the automatic operating means G. In this position, the tooth 62 of the lever 61 can'engage This spring 55 will of I any of the teeth 63, and be held in adjusted positionfor maintaining the door as the user desires. The lever 61 can of course be released manually, and the spring 65 or 81 will assist in maintaining the levers 61 or 7 9 respectively out of engagement with the rack teeth.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described, withoutdeparting irom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a closure member, of a casing detachably mounted on said closure member, a flexible strip, resilient means con necting said strip to said casing, means for automatic distorting of said resilient means when said closure member is moved in a predetermined direction to force said strip outwardly from said closure member, and

means independent of said resilient means for returning the second mentioned means to normal position.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a closure member and support, of a support engaging strip, substantially U-shaped springs slidably connected intermediate their ends to said strip, each of said springs having one end rigidly connected to said closure member, sliding means connected to the free ends of said springs, and means for automatically operating said last mentioned means to adjust said strip with respect to said closure member upon movement of the latter in a predetermined direction.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a closure member, of a strip, arcuate springs engaging said stripand rigidly connected at one end of each to said closure member, slidable means connected to the other ends of said springs for movement to distort said springs and move said strip with respect to said closure member, and spring means independent of said areuate springs tor normally forcing said strip toward the center of said closure memher.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a door lnngedly connected to a support, of a flexible weather strip, substantially U-shaped springs slidably connected intermediate their ends to said strip, neans connecting one end of each of said springs rigidly to the bottom of said door, a slidable bar connected to the other end of eachof said springs, an adjustable contact member engaging said bar and adapted for engaging said support upon closing said door to distort said springs and force said strip into engagement with a floor.

5. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a door hingedly connected to a support, of a flexible weather strip, substantially U-shaped springs slidably connected intermediate their ends to said strip,

means connecting one end or each of saidsprings rigidly to the bottom of said door, a slidab-le bar connected to the other end of each of said springs, an adjustable contact member engaging said bar and adapted for engaging said support upon closing said door to distort said springs and force said strip into engagement with a floor, and independent spring means for moving said bar to normal position to withdraw said strip from engagement with the floor upon opening of said door.

6. In a device oi the class described, the combinationwith a door hingedly connected to a support, of a flexible weather strip, substantially U-shaped springs slidably connected intermediate their ends to said strip, means connecting one end of each of said springs rigidly to the bottom of said door, a slidable bar connected to the other end of each of said springs, an adjustable contact member engaging said bar and adapted for engaging said support upon closing said door to distort said springs and force said strip into engagement with a floor, and manually operated means for maintaining said flexible strip in engagement with a floor independent of open or closed position of the door.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a door hingedly connect ed to a support, of a flexible weather strip, substantially U-shaped springs slidably connected intermediate their ends to said strip, means connecting one end of each of said springs rigidly to the bottom of said door, a slidable bar connected to the other end of each of said springs, an adjustable contact member engaging said bar and adapted for engaging said support upon closing said door to distort said springs and force said strip into engagement with a floor, independent spring means for operating said bar to normal position to withdraw said strip from engagement with the floor upon opening of said door, and manually operated means for maintaining said independent spring means inoperative and for moving said strip into engagement with a floor, independent of open or closed position thereof.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with a closure member hingedly connected to a support, of a flexible strip, resilient means connecting said strip to said closure member, means for distorting said resilient means to position said strip in a predetermined manner withrespect to said closure member and including an adjustable contact member for engagement with said support upon movement oi the closure memher, and adjusting means formaintaining said strip in a predetermined fixed position with respect to said closure member and independent of movement of the latter.

' 9. In a device of the class described, the combination With a closure member, of a strip, springs engaging said strip fixedly connected at an end of each with respect to said closure member, ancbmovable means connected to the other ends of said springs 10 for movement to distort said springs and adjustably position said strip With respect to said closure member.

HALLIE E. TRIPP. 

